The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s historic criminal case fined the former United States president $9,000 after holding him in contempt of court for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others related to the ongoing trial.&nbsp;

<h2>Trump warned about jail time</h2>

The order by Justice Juan Merchan came as the proceedings in the trial resumed in Manhattan criminal court, on Tuesday (Apr 30). Earlier this month, prosecutors had alleged 10 violations of the gag order, but the judge found there were nine.&nbsp;

Trump, according to the Associated Press, has also been warned by the judge that if he violates the gag order again, he could be jailed. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-hush-money-trial-key-witness-reveals-alleged-catch-and-kill-scheme-to-buy-sex-stories-715080">Trump hush money trial: Key witness reveals alleged 'catch and kill' scheme to buy sex stories</a>

In his written order, Merchan said that Trump “is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.”

He also noted that this fine may not be enough to serve as a deterrent for the former president, and lamented he did not have the authority to impose a higher penalty.

The judge has also ordered Trump to remove seven statements from his Truth Social account and two from his campaign website by 2:15 pm (local time).&nbsp;

Merchan said he would consider whether to impose additional fines at a hearing on Thursday (May 2). The former president has been fined $1,000 for each of nine online statements that the judge said violated the order.&nbsp;

Last month, the judge imposed a gag order on Trump on the prosecutors’ request to block him from speaking about the witnesses.&nbsp;

The order was later expanded to include his own family members and those of the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who brought the charges against the former president.&nbsp;

<h2>Proceedings on Tuesday</h2>

The court on Tuesday will reportedly begin with testimony from a banker who is said to be familiar with the former president’s accounts and the alleged scheme to pay hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and falsifying business records to cover the payments.&nbsp;

Banker Gary Farro, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, reportedly&nbsp;helped Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen open accounts, including one that was used to pay hush money to Daniels.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-hush-money-trial-violation-of-gag-order-can-lead-to-fines-jail-time-say-new-york-prosecutors-711653">Trump’s hush money trial: Violation of gag order can lead to fines, jail time, say New York prosecutors</a>

The charges in the case stem from alleged accounting fraud and falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. &nbsp;

<h2>‘TRUMP 24’</h2>

Trump is the first former US president to face a criminal trial, which began on April 22 after the selection of the jury. But he is also the presumptive Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election and campaigning when he is not in court.&nbsp;

On Tuesday morning, around two dozen supporters rallied outside the courthouse chanting and waving banners that read “TRUMP 24,” reported Reuters.&nbsp;

The hush money case is one of the four criminal cases against Trump, but the only one which went to trial and will result in a verdict ahead of the November elections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s historic criminal case fined the former United States president $9,000 after holding him in contempt of court for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others related to the ongoing trial.

The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s historic criminal case fined the former United States president $9,000 after holding him in contempt of court for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others related to the ongoing trial. Trump warned about jail time The order by Justice Juan Merchan came as the proceedings in the trial resumed in Manhattan criminal court, on Tuesday (Apr 30). Earlier this month, prosecutors had alleged 10 violations of the gag order, but the judge found there were nine. Trump, according to the Associated Press, has also been warned by the judge that if he violates the gag order again, he could be jailed. Also Read | Trump hush money trial: Key witness reveals alleged 'catch and kill' scheme to buy sex stories In his written order, Merchan said that Trump “is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.” He also noted that this fine may not be enough to serve as a deterrent for the former president, and lamented he did not have the authority to impose a higher penalty. The judge has also ordered Trump to remove seven statements from his Truth Social account and two from his campaign website by 2:15 pm (local time). Merchan said he would consider whether to impose additional fines at a hearing on Thursday (May 2). The former president has been fined $1,000 for each of nine online statements that the judge said violated the order. Last month, the judge imposed a gag order on Trump on the prosecutors’ request to block him from speaking about the witnesses. The order was later expanded to include his own family members and those of the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who brought the charges against the former president. Proceedings on Tuesday The court on Tuesday will reportedly begin with testimony from a banker who is said to be familiar with the former president’s accounts and the alleged scheme to pay hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and falsifying business records to cover the payments. Banker Gary Farro, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, reportedly helped Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen open accounts, including one that was used to pay hush money to Daniels. Also Read | Trump’s hush money trial: Violation of gag order can lead to fines, jail time, say New York prosecutors The charges in the case stem from alleged accounting fraud and falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. ‘TRUMP 24’ Trump is the first former US president to face a criminal trial, which began on April 22 after the selection of the jury. But he is also the presumptive Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election and campaigning when he is not in court. On Tuesday morning, around two dozen supporters rallied outside the courthouse chanting and waving banners that read “TRUMP 24,” reported Reuters. The hush money case is one of the four criminal cases against Trump, but the only one which went to trial and will result in a verdict ahead of the November elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump hush money trial: Former US president fined $9,000 for violating gag order

In former US president Donald Trump’s hush money trial, prosecutors in their opening statement Monday (Apr 22) said he indeed engaged in a “criminal” scheme and subsequent cover-up.

“This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a coverup,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors in a Manhattan court in attendance of the former president.

Earlier, Trump arrived at the New York courthouse where prosecutors explained why the alleged hush money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential elections amounted to a crime and warranted charges.

As per allegations, Trump made payments to porn star&nbsp;Stormy Daniels through his then-attorney Michael Cohen.&nbsp;

Prosecutors said&nbsp;Cohen made the payment "at the defendant's direction, and did it to influence the election."

An attorney from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said the reimbursements were part of a scheme that amounted to "election fraud, pure and simple."

<h2>David Pecker called as first witness</h2>

Prosecutors&nbsp;also called David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc., or AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, as their first witness to the stand.&nbsp;Pecker is facing allegations that he helped&nbsp;Trump during the 2016 campaign by burying negative stories about him and attacking his rivals.

Watch:&nbsp;US: Opening statements set to begin in Donald Trump's hush money case trial

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Pecker. while being in the stand, flashed a broad smile at the court, defying the gravity of the moment.&nbsp;

Pecker would return for the testimony tomorrow.

<h2>The defence's statement</h2>

Trump's attorney Todd Blanche delivered the defence's opening statement, saying the jury is "going to learn that this was not a payback."

Blanche added that the money paid to&nbsp;Cohen was for&nbsp;his services as Trump's personal attorney, not as reimbursement for the Daniels payment.&nbsp;

"There's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It's called democracy. They've put something sinister on this idea, as if it was a crime," Blanche continued. "President Trump fought back like he always does, and like he's entitled to do. To protect his family, his reputation and his brand. And that is not a crime."

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwie7qqsqtaFAxU7XmwGHXvHBYoQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/juror-excused-from-trump-hush-money-trial-due-to-fear-of-influence-what-you-need-to-know-712675" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/juror-excused-from-trump-hush-money-trial-due-to-fear-of-influence-what-you-need-to-know-712675&amp;ved=2ahUKEwie7qqsqtaFAxU7XmwGHXvHBYoQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">Juror excused from Trump hush money trial due to fear of influence: What you need to know</a>

Blanche then trained his&nbsp;guns on Cohen, saying he was&nbsp;"obsessed" with Trump and had been for "many, many years." He also claimed that the former attorney tried to throw Trump under the bus when he faced federal charges.

He argued that Cohen decided "to blame President Trump for all of his problems" when he was arrested on federal charges in 2018.

"I submit to you that he cannot be trusted," the defence stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

In former US president Donald Trump’s hush money trial, prosecutors in their opening statement Monday (Apr 22) said he indeed engaged in a “criminal” scheme and subsequent cover-up.

In former US president Donald Trump’s hush money trial, prosecutors in their opening statement Monday (Apr 22) said he indeed engaged in a “criminal” scheme and subsequent cover-up. “This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a coverup,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors in a Manhattan court in attendance of the former president. Earlier, Trump arrived at the New York courthouse where prosecutors explained why the alleged hush money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential elections amounted to a crime and warranted charges. As per allegations, Trump made payments to porn star Stormy Daniels through his then-attorney Michael Cohen. Prosecutors said Cohen made the payment "at the defendant's direction, and did it to influence the election." An attorney from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said the reimbursements were part of a scheme that amounted to "election fraud, pure and simple." David Pecker called as first witness Prosecutors also called David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc., or AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, as their first witness to the stand. Pecker is facing allegations that he helped Trump during the 2016 campaign by burying negative stories about him and attacking his rivals. Watch: US: Opening statements set to begin in Donald Trump's hush money case trial × Pecker. while being in the stand, flashed a broad smile at the court, defying the gravity of the moment. Pecker would return for the testimony tomorrow. The defence's statement Trump's attorney Todd Blanche delivered the defence's opening statement, saying the jury is "going to learn that this was not a payback." Blanche added that the money paid to Cohen was for his services as Trump's personal attorney, not as reimbursement for the Daniels payment. "There's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It's called democracy. They've put something sinister on this idea, as if it was a crime," Blanche continued. "President Trump fought back like he always does, and like he's entitled to do. To protect his family, his reputation and his brand. And that is not a crime." Also read: Juror excused from Trump hush money trial due to fear of influence: What you need to know Blanche then trained his guns on Cohen, saying he was "obsessed" with Trump and had been for "many, many years." He also claimed that the former attorney tried to throw Trump under the bus when he faced federal charges. He argued that Cohen decided "to blame President Trump for all of his problems" when he was arrested on federal charges in 2018. "I submit to you that he cannot be trusted," the defence stated. (With inputs from agencies)

Hush money trial: Prosecutors say Trump engaged in ‘criminal’ scheme, subsequent cover-up

A full jury of 12 people has been seated in the criminal case against Donald Trump, bringing the first criminal trial of a former president a significant step closer to the beginning. Watch in for more details!

Trump Hush Money Trial: First week of Trump's criminal trial ends with full jury selected

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Trump hush money trial: Former US president fined $9,000 for violating gag order

Hush money trial: Prosecutors say Trump engaged in ‘criminal’ scheme, subsequent cover-up

Trump Hush Money Trial: First week of Trump's criminal trial ends with full jury selected